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brazilwood
brazilwood Brazilwood (Caesalpinia echinata).

brazilwood

Also known as: Caesalpinia echinata
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History

brazilwood, dense, compact dyewood from any of various tropical trees whose extracts yield bright crimson and deep purple colours. Brazilwood is also used in cabinetwork. In ancient and medieval times, the brazilwood imported to Europe from the Middle East was Caesalpinia braziliensis and other species of Caesalpinia. Caesalpinia echinata (called pau-brasil in Portuguese) is indigenous to the Brazilian coast and played a role in the naming of that country.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.